Beacon Hill

The environment

Beacon Hill’s narrow cobblestoned streets and brick sidewalks are the very essence of old Boston. This historic neighborhood is located directly behind the gold-domed State House adjacent to downtown. It is bordered by Back Bay and the Charles River Esplanade to the west, Charles River Park and Massachusetts General Hospital to the north, Government Center to the east, and the Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden to the south.

Beacon Hill is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the metropolitan area. Its residential character, tight-knit community, and high level of police protection contribute to its general safety.

Charles and Cambridge Streets are the major commercial strips in Beacon Hill. Charles Street offers some of the most exclusive shopping experiences in the metropolitan area. Cambridge Street is a busy thoroughfare that primarily features restaurants and supermarkets.

Housing options

Beacon Hill is a designated historic district, and its streets offer great character and charm. Most of the housing stock is in small three- and four-story apartment buildings with ten or fewer units. Beacon Hill contains some of the oldest housing stock in the city, and individual units tend to be smaller than those in other communities. The housing quality on Beacon Hill is generally good and most landlords include heat and hot water in the rent. The biggest drawback to renting an apartment on Beacon Hill is the high rents.

Getting to MIT

Beacon Hill is one of the closest neighborhoods to MIT and is easily accessible to public transportation. The MBTA Charles Street/MGH Red Line station is located in the northwest corner of Beacon Hill and is just one stop away from Kendall/MIT. The Park Street Red Line station, a short walk across the Boston Common, is two stops from MIT. Depending on where you live, the Institute is a 15- to 30-minute walk or a short bike ride via the Longfellow or Massachusetts Avenue bridges.

On-street parking in Beacon Hill is extremely limited. Residents may obtain parking stickers with proof of residency, but Boston’s Traffic and Parking Department distributes approximately three parking stickers for every available street space. Off-street parking is rare. Because this community is so accessible by foot, bicycle, and public transportation, however, there is little need for a car.

Learn more about getting to and from MIT.
 

Good to know

Boston City Hall

One City Hall Square
Boston, MA  02201
(617) 635-4000

U.S. Post Office: (800) 275-8887

John F. Kennedy
25 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114

State House
136 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114

Fire Department

200 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA  02134
Emergency: 911

Police Department

40 New Sudbury Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 343-4240 Emergency: 911

Beacon Hill Online